Magicians have astonished audiences for centuries by subtly, yet powerfully, influencing their decisions. But there has been little systematic study of the psychological factors that make magic tricks work.

The University of British Columbia will honour advocates who have fought for human rights and the environment at this year’s spring graduation ceremonies. The Honourable Steven Point, Tzeporah Berman, Lee Lakeman, and Ian Stirling will receive honorary degrees from UBC’s Vancouver campus.

From all-terrain, remotely operated vehicles to concrete toboggans, UBC engineering students are competing this week in two competitions for marks and bragging rights. Media are invited to cover both events.

The University of British Columbia’s start an evolution campaign crossed the $1 billion mark and is now two-thirds of the way toward its fundraising and alumni engagement targets – to raise $1.5 billion and to involve 50,000 alumni annually in the life of the university by 2015.

Children who make an effort to perform acts of kindness are happier and experience greater acceptance from their peers, suggests new research from the University of British Columbia and the University of California, Riverside.

On Sept. 19, Statistics Canada will release their 2011 census report, which describes how families and living arrangements have changed in Canada over the last decade. UBC experts are available to comment on the report, which will be available at www.statcan.gc.ca at 8:30 a.m. EST.